REAL ESTATE TRENDS...Cities to Watch: 2016's Fastest-Growing Places

After being overthrown last year by Houston, Austin regains the number one spot as the fastest-growing city in the U.S., according to a new analysis by Forbes. Adding to its allure, Austin boasts booming technology, pharmaceutical and biotech industries as well as low-cost of living.

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Forbes.com compiled its annual list of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities by ranking the 100 largest metro areas and their surrounding suburbs. For its rankings, they factor in population growth for 2015 and 2016, year-over-year job growth for 2015, the metro’s economic growth rate, unemployment, and median annual pay for college-educated workers in the area.

The following cities topped Forbes’ list as the fastest-growing populations and economies (included below with each city’s population growth for 2015 and projected growth rate for 2016): 

1. Austin, Texas

• 2015 population growth rate: 3.15%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.56%

2. San Francisco, Calif.

• 2015 population growth rate: 1.24%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 0.77%

3. Dallas, Texas

• 2015 population growth rate: 2.16%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.58%

4. Seattle, Wash.

• 2015 population growth rate: 1.68%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.34%

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

• 2015 population growth rate: 1.05%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.40%

6. Ogden, Utah

• 2015 population growth rate: 1.64%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.37%

7. Orlando, Fla.

• 2015 population growth rate: 2.31%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 2.03%

8. San Jose, Calif.

• 2015 population growth rate: 1.27%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 0.93%

9. Raleigh, N.C.

• 2015 population growth rate: 2.28%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 1.44%

10. Cape Coral, Fla.

• 2015 population growth rate: 2.84%
• 2016 projected growth rate: 2.15%